The Whippet. 267 



to be injured by the suddenness with which the dogs 

 stop at the end of the race." These are, of course, 

 only required where the racing is done on a cinder- 

 path, and would be quite out of place on grass 

 during rabbit coursing. 



As to handicapping, the same writer tells us that 

 as a rule a dog 151b. weight is taken as the basis of 

 the handicap, and he is given or takes three yards, 

 according to size, irrespective of the allowance for 

 sex alluded to earlier on. However, when the dogs 

 "reach about 271b. in weight, they are pretty much 

 equalised, just as an increase is given to small dogs 

 down to about 81b. in weight. For instance, a dog 

 of 151b. would give one of 141b. three yards start; 

 but one of 131b. would receive seven yards from the 

 151b. dog, and in all likelihood a lolb. dog would 

 receive from eighteen to twenty yards in the two 

 hundred. Then, in turn, the 151b. dog would receive 

 three yards from the i61b animal, and from one up 

 to 2olb. the 151b dog would receive ten or twelve 

 yards start," irrespective, of course, of penalties 

 for previous successes. Novices are usually given 

 an advantage of about 2lb. 



The above seems a somewhat complicated 

 arrangement, but it is thoroughly understood by the 

 handicappers. 



I need scarcely say that these whippets when in 



